posted at 4:16 pm on January 31, 2014 by Allahpundit

He says he’s got evidence, but at this point, I don’t know if it matters. The accusation alone coming from this guy is a five-alarm fire.

Can’t wait for the Christie close-up at the Super Bowl this weekend.

The former Port Authority official who personally oversaw the lane closings on the George Washington Bridge in the scandal now swirling around Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey said on Friday that the governor knew about the lane closings when they were happening, and that he had the evidence to prove it.

In a letter released by his lawyer, the official, David Wildstein, a high school friend of Mr. Christie’s who was appointed with the governor’s blessing at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which controls the bridge, described the order to close the lanes as “the Christie administration’s order” and said “evidence exists as well tying Mr. Christie to having knowledge of the lane closures, during the period when the lanes were closed, contrary to what the governor stated publicly in a two-hour press conference” three weeks ago.

“Mr. Wildstein contests the accuracy of various statements that the governor made about him and he can prove the inaccuracy of some,” the letter added.

Wildstein’s got two possible reasons to lie. One, obviously, is revenge on Christie. Wildstein resigned in early December, no doubt under pressure from the governor’s office. Maybe he has an axe to grind now, if only because he assumed Christie would go to bat for an old friend like him. The other reason is immunity: He’s spent the last two weeks whispering to people that he’s willing to talk if he’s spared the threat of prosecution. The U.S. Attorney hasn’t taken the bait yet. This is an obvious pot-sweetener.

Will what he says make any difference to Christie’s political future, though? Even if he says something gassy like, “I have no hard evidence but, knowing how the governor’s office operated and knowing the governor personally for many years, I’m sure he knew,” that’ll be enough for Christie’s enemies. There are so many people, left and right, who want him out of the 2016 field that the accusation alone from someone at the heart of the scandal is seriously damaging. If Bridget Kelly comes out and agrees with Wildstein, I don’t know what happens to the rest of Christie’s term.

Update:Charles Cooke makes a good point about the key passage from the letter:

Wildstein’s not accusing him of knowing that the lanes were closed to punish a political enemy, merely that he knew that the lanes had been closed — maybe for a “traffic study.” There’s an unspecific accusation that Christie lied in his presser, but lied about what? That he knew this was retaliation or some more minor detail, like the specific date when he found out about the closings?

Update: Actually, per Politico, he did claim during his presser a few weeks ago that he didn’t know about the lane closings until they were over:

“I don’t know what else to say except to tell them that I had no knowledge of this — of the planning, the execution or anything about it — and that I first found out about it after it was over,” Christie said at the news conference. “And even then, what I was told was that it was a traffic study. And there was no evidence to the contrary until yesterday that was brought to my attention or anybody else’s attention.”

If Wildstein can prove what he claims then he can prove that Christie did indeed tell a lie during the presser. Not the key lie — that would be showing that Christie knew why the lanes were closed — but Christie’s enemies will run with it.

He’s right. If you read the key passage from Wildstein’s lawyer closely, you’ll see that he doesn’t claim they have the evidence to prove Christie knew about the lane closings. He says it exists. Then, later, he says they can prove that Christie said something “inaccurate” at his presser. Hmmmm.

“Mr. Wildstein’s lawyer confirms what the Governor has said all along – he had absolutely no prior knowledge of the lane closures before they happened and whatever Mr. Wildstein’s motivations were for closing them to begin with. As the Governor said in a December 13th press conference, he only first learned lanes were closed when it was reported by the press and as he said in his January 9th press conference, had no indication that this was anything other than a traffic study until he read otherwise the morning of January 8th. The Governor denies Mr. Wildstein’s lawyer’s other assertions.”

Blowback

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Bottom line is that if this were happening to another high-profile GOP governor and Christie were asked for a comment, he’d say it’s “very troubling” and that “if it’s true” that other governor “should resign.” And if that other Republican governor were someone who was in any way a threat to fatso’s presidential ambitions, he’d be twisting the knife. No way in hell Christie would have another GOPers back — he never, ever has (quite the opposite!). Reap, sow, and all of that.

The congressional conservatives could use this opportunity to get Christie’s and the nation’s head on straight. He’s never going to be a reliable conservative but he could do serious damage to the White House. Every Christie question the media asks should be answered with “Why haven’t you looked into Fast and Furious, Solyndra, Benghazi in the same manner?” and start to push hard on obozo’s corruption.

Bottom line is that if this were happening to another high-profile GOP governor and Christie were asked for a comment, he’d say it’s “very troubling” and that “if it’s true” that other governor “should resign.”

Rational Thought on February 1, 2014 at 8:51 AM

This is it.

When he won his big election margin, it was an opportunity for him to sneer at conservatives who, with the party establishment against them, don’t get results like that. In no way was his win a shared victory, it was him sticking it to his enemies on the right.

Now that we can all see that part of how he won big was an “anything goes” and really lawless attitude, conservatives are supposed to rally behind him?

but he could do serious damage to the White House. Every Christie question the media asks should be answered with “Why haven’t you looked into Fast and Furious, Solyndra, Benghazi in the same manner?” and start to push hard on obozo’s corruption.

Flange on February 1, 2014 at 9:12 AM

ROFL…christie do serious damage to the WH? Really will he do that serious damage before or after he embraces Obama for the 17th time and tells the country what agreat President Obama is.

Face it Chrisite likes Obama from the new reports it is clear why he likes Obama. Him and Obama are related on how they see themselves exercising political power. The only difference between the two is one is fat and the other is black. They run their offices the same. Dirty politics, hard nose, secert polices etc.
Both will say anything, do anything if it brings them more power.

Christie’s biggest mistake: Polling well against Hillary. being a two bit bully

Now he’s chum for the media sharks.

fogw on February 1, 2014 at 9:49 AM

look if he polled well against Hillary and conducted his time in office in an honorable matter there would be no chum for the media sharks. Sure the media would make up crap like they did with Palin or do with Cruz but the made up crap would not stick as well. The fact that Christie’s ACTIONS while in office gave the media and his enemies the knife they are using to stab him with was his biggest mistake.

I mean use him as a tool. As long as he’s in office drawing this criticism, every conservative should answer questions regarding Christie with a question of their own about obozo’s infinitely worse behavior. Such as…
Reporter: “Sen. Paul, how do you feel about this on going scandal involving Gov. Christie?”
Sen. Paul: “How do you feel about the obozo administration’s constant lying and covering up Benghazi?”
Reporter: “But I mean, specifically, his punishing his enemies like this?”
Sen. Paul: “It reminds me of how obozo shut down all those auto dealers that were owned by Republicans.”

People in high positions who abuse their power in order to punish their political adversaries should RESIGN or be IMPEACHED, so says the Newark Star-Ledger. What a timely and relevant conversation to have. Christie could end up being the GOP’s biggest weapon after all…

Rational Thought on January 31, 2014 at 5:31 PM

Yes that would be great but somehow I don’t think they would connect the dots between christie’s actions and Obama’s. I wish with all my heart we return to a time in this country where the law ruled and no one was above the law instead of the elites ruling and giving short shift to all laws.

I could see that but I would wish Paul would also tar Christie and the media at the same time. Something like:

Reporter: “But I mean, specifically, his punishing his enemies like this?”
Sen. Paul: “It reminds me of how obozo shut down all those auto dealers that were owned by Republicans. the media thought that was ok. Gov christie must have assumed that since the media gave Obama a pass on his actions he could get the same pass doing the same type of actions to the public. I’m glad the media is now on the case and I hope they hold both parties to the same standards. As a republican I don’t like bullies be they in my party or in the dem party.

I doubt Obama would spend any politcal capital on christie at this point. the dems are smart enough to know when your enemy is self imploding you gwet out of the why. The GOPE haven’t figured this ouot yet and thus their push for amnesty.

f he wasn’t polling well the media wouldn’t be turning up the heat on him like they are. It has nothing to do with his actions, the media perceives him right now as the biggest threat to Hillary.

What a joke.
He wasn’t the “biggest threat to Hillary”, he was her E-Z Pass to the White House.
If 2 million Conservatives sat out Romney, 4 million would have sat out Christie.
Of course the media would have propped him up.

The media will never let this die until Christie either resigns or is indicted

They will systemically take out any potential GOP contender against Hillary.

What is this whining and crying about the media? They despised Reagan. And Chrisitie was damn near courting them. If you’re so worried about them, don’t give them ammunition to shoot at you and fight back like a soldier. I really don’t want a candidate who can’t handle Hillary themselves. You know, a “she’s really a good person” type need not apply.

I have a thought experiment. What if Christie were a staunch conservative? How would the establishment respond, how would their responses be different than they are now? How would the general response be different?

Perhaps we could look at what happened to Palin for an analogy. She faced far worse calumny — extending for years, driven with even less cause or fact.

Certainly the “base” would be more outraged. But what would that mean in terms of action?

I contend that this isn’t about Christie as much as is about the media and the GOP Establishment’s fear of the media. It’s the same object lesson of fear we see played out in different degrees and forms every day. This fear completely shadowed and informed Mitt Romney’s campaign. Nearly everything he did — and didn’t do — was based on a calculation and anticipation of media reaction. He wasn’t running against Obama as much as the media, but wasn’t running or campaiging against them as he was running from them, and operating in fear of them.

I don’t care about Christie. I care about dealing with the media. That’s why I want him to fight this.

The media will never let this die until Christie either resigns or is indicted

They will systemically take out any potential GOP contender against Hillary.

What is this whining and crying about the media? They despised Reagan. And Chrisitie was damn near courting them. If you’re so worried about them, don’t give them ammunition to shoot at you and fight back like a soldier. I really don’t want a candidate who can’t handle Hillary themselves. You know, a “she’s really a good person” type need not apply.

Marcus on February 1, 2014 at 11:27 AM

No whining here, just stating facts. Did you miss the 2012 election. Romney ran against the MEDIA more than the Democrats. No comparison to Reagan…this isn’t 1984; we have a 24/7 news’ cycle and internet coupled with social media.

It’s a pattern of the media, if you haven’t noticed. Kill the best opponent first, let the other losers run.

McCain, Romney. Get it?

fogw on February 1, 2014 at 10:29 AM

oh I get it. They spent 4 years making stuff up about Gov Palin. the difference between Palin and Christie is their actions while in office. the media had to make stuff up about Palin and most of it didn’t stick because her time in office was served honorable. Christie on the other hand was taken down by closing two lanes on a freaking bridge. Why? because his actions reinforced the preception about him. those bullying actions told everyone that they were right to think Christie was a bully. You get it? How you serve in officedetermines how much power the media has over you. Plain the media had zero to go on. they still made stuff up. most of it didn’t stick but just the unrelenting attacks at times turned people off, made them ashamed to support her. Thinking where there is smoke there is fire kind of thing. Still after all the attacks she still has a large base of support. Christie on the other hand is losing support left and right over a small thing like a bridge closing. Why? character and serving honorable as opposed to being a thug while in office.

Obama would meet the same fate if the media and the GOPe would ever decided to stop being afraid of the man or blindly supporting him. Look at how quickly his support dropped after the media started to report on the IRS/NSa scandels.

Those reaffirmed people’s fears about Obama like Christies bridgescandel reaffirmed to people that he is nothing but a bully.

I don’t care about Christie. I care about dealing with the media. That’s why I want him to fight this.

rrpjr on February 1, 2014 at 11:27 AM

while this is a hill to die on, the commander you wish to fight the battle is more likely to be fragged by his troops then killed by the enemy. because the commander decided years ago the enemy was more important to him then his troops.

He did NOT run against them — that’s precisely the problem. He ran FROM them. Until we accept the premise of the media as the principal opponent and enemy, and embrace the idea of conflict with them (the joy and risk of it), we’ll keep losing.

correct and at the same time he didn’t let the media control the conversation. He ignored them when he could, challenged them when they couldn’t be ignored and fought them when nothing else could be done. But he never let them control the debate. He talked about what he wanted to talk about.

The AAkins debate this last fall is a good indication on how not to handle a issue. Reagan would have never brought fuel to the fire like Mitt and his team did. He would have simply refused to talk about it. Saying those were Akins words not his then changed the topic to high inflation, a lousy economy or the iran hostages.

LOL. To buy your premise is to believe that Christie didn’t order the retaliation and isn’t a bald-faced liar. Neither of which I buy. Poor Chrsitie, gives his “friends” in the media bullets and it now crying there’s gunfire.

Those reaffirmed people’s fears about Obama like Christies bridgescandel reaffirmed to people that he is nothing but a bully.

unseen on February 1, 2014 at 11:46 AM

Funny how he wasn’t considered a bully when was hugging Obama in the aftermath of hurricane Sandy. No, the national media only labels him a bully when they see him as a threat to Obama’s preordained replacement.

When he is Obama’s pal, when he makes the Dems look good and when his actions stifle the opportunities of the Republican presidential front-runner, they think he’s the greatest friend any man could have.

It’s about who wins the White House not who’s the bully or not. Want to talk about a bully, talk about Captain Executive Order or Princess What Difference Does it Make Now.

It’s a pattern of the media, if you haven’t noticed. Kill the best opponent first, let the other losers run.

McCain, Romney. Get it?

fogw on February 1, 2014 at 10:29 AM

Exactly…it doesn’t matter that Christie is not “the man”, he caused liberals and the dems huge problems, they would have to use resources to combat him.

When you fight a war, you win with battles, some battles are offensive, some defensive…some are fought, even maybe even lose, but it sucks up the resources. Like the body blows in the first few rounds of a fight, it sucks the energy out of the opponent.

Removing Christie gives the opponent space, and eliminates one more battle they have to fight.

It’s foolish for conservatives to be concerned what the media tells us, but, if it means taking out someone you don’t support, it’s worth it to you…of course we won’t win an election, but you get to see your man stay in the ring one or two more rounds, until they do the same to your man. Than you holler like a stuck pig and wonder how stupid everyone is for not supporting your man…

I don’t think we need to defeat the media we simply have to get a candidate that refuses to allow the media to set the topic of debate, fighting them when needed, ignoring them when able

unseen on February 1, 2014 at 11:59 AM

Agreed. It’s all I’m really talking about — accepting the reality of who and what they are and engaging this reality rather than overtly maintaining the pretense of their “moderator” role while covertly living in fear of them.

As to your remarks about Reagan — he more often mocked them. Remember the outrage when he said he didn’t even read the NY Times?

LOL. To buy your premise is to believe that Christie didn’t order the retaliation and isn’t a bald-faced liar. Neither of which I buy. Poor Chrsitie, gives his “friends” in the media bullets and it now crying there’s gunfire.

Marcus on February 1, 2014 at 12:03 PM

You still don’t get it…it doesn’t matter what he has done or not done, let the media have their day.

What we need is people to suck up the resources of the dems, and Christie did that, they feared him more than anyone…and this is a perfect example, look how vague the accusation is.

If it turns out to be wrong, you guys will still be hollering for Christie to get out, and the liberals will have won another battle…because you guys don’t understand how to win a war.

You think every battle is the war, and it is just a battle, some designed to lose, but all useful and weakening the opponent.

The liberal media knows this, and they attack, one at a time because you guys think the enemy is anyone who is not “perfect”.

Christie isn’t my choice for President…but he is one of my choices to attack the dems, to cause them angst.

That is what Giuliani was so great at, sucking up the “moderates” support and worrying the dems. He connected with people that strong conservatives can’t connect with, and at the right time, you use him to bring us those votes.

It is so obvious what the media is doing, and so sad that so many are led so easily…but that is who you are, and you will wonder why no one supports your candidate…

It is so obvious what the media is doing, and so sad that so many are led so easily…but that is who you are, and you will wonder why no one supports your candidate…

right2bright on February 1, 2014 at 12:14 PM

I don’t wonder why at all, what with all of the guys like Christie spitting venom at her.

You are preaching to the wrong group, r2b. You get the McCains and Grahams and Christies to stop targeting the right with gratuitous attacks, then maybe we can talk about not piling on here when the media is bringing down one of those stinking GOPe progressives.

Memo to all RINOS. A snake is a snake is a snake.Snakes aren’t interested in “good intentions”. snakes aren’t interested in ‘getting along”.Snakes are totally unimpressed if they are being pandered to. Snake are only concerned when you get within bite range. CHOMP!!!!

What we need is people to suck up the resources of the dems, and Christie did that, they feared him more than anyone…and this is a perfect example, look how vague the accusation is.

If it turns out to be wrong, you guys will still be hollering for Christie to get out, and the liberals will have won another battle…because you guys don’t understand how to win a war.

You think every battle is the war, and it is just a battle, some designed to lose, but all useful and weakening the opponent.

The liberal media knows this, and they attack, one at a time because you guys think the enemy is anyone who is not “perfect”.

Christie isn’t my choice for President…but he is one of my choices to attack the dems, to cause them angst.

That is what Giuliani was so great at, sucking up the “moderates” support and worrying the dems. He connected with people that strong conservatives can’t connect with, and at the right time, you use him to bring us those votes.

It is so obvious what the media is doing, and so sad that so many are led so easily…but that is who you are, and you will wonder why no one supports your candidate…

right2bright on February 1, 2014 at 12:14 PM

I understand your analysis, however, why would Christie want to run after this media circus? He knows he will be crucified…and you don’t ignore the media attacks. And if you dare attack them, then you are a bully or mental case. I’m a Republican who supports all Republicans…no right winger here…I don’t give a crap who it is …I am not a purist and the likes of Rush and company are entertainers ..who laugh their ass off all the way to the bank.

You underestimate the power of the media. The big 3 networks are so left leaning now that they don’t hide their prejudice.

I understand your analysis, however, why would Christie want to run after this media circus? He knows he will be crucified…and you don’t ignore the media attacks. And if you dare attack them, then you are a bully or mental case. I’m a Republican who supports all Republicans…no right winger here…I don’t give a crap who it is …I am not a purist and the likes of Rush and company are entertainers ..who laugh their ass off all the way to the bank.

You underestimate the power of the media. The big 3 networks are so left leaning now that they don’t hide their prejudice.

Anything is possible but this scandal doesn’t make sense. As a top notch prosecutor Christie is a man of intelligence and experience who would be aware of the legal and political perils of deliberately creating traffic chaos. And for what? To somehow embarrass a Democrat mayor whose support he didn’t need or even ask for.

This was a big risk for a nothingburger. I don’t believe he’s stupid let alone that stupid.

I was as angry as anyone when Christie betrayed Mitt, but most of the commenters here have thrown logic out the window in their desire to see Christie sidelined.

I’m sure it’s been said many times in the previous pages of this thread but: What affects more Americans, the Christie “Bridge Scandal” or the actual INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM done by local station WTAE (a report that should have been done by “national” media?

I understand your analysis, however, why would Christie want to run after this media circus? He knows he will be crucified…and you don’t ignore the media attacks. And if you dare attack them, then you are a bully or mental case. I’m a Republican who supports all Republicans…no right winger here…I don’t give a crap who it is …I am not a purist and the likes of Rush and company are entertainers ..who laugh their ass off all the way to the bank.

You underestimate the power of the media. The big 3 networks are so left leaning now that they don’t hide their prejudice.

Redford on February 1, 2014 at 4:44 PM

Redford…it doesn’t matter why he wants to continue, just as long as he tweaks the liberals, the dems. As long as they focus on him and are afraid of him…than we throw in someone that does not have his weaknesses.

And no, I don’t underestimate the media, I have been touting for weeks that they are plenty strong enough to manipulate most of the “conservative” bloggers on this site.

So let them attack and use their journalistic time on Christie, who cares that they throw money away, we won’t select him anyway.

The people will get so tired of the press beating up on the same guy over and over.

Christie won’t be our selection…but he is useful to cause pain in the dems camp…and he can really hurt Hillary, she is a neighbor and he owns her. In a debate he will take her apart, and that is what we want, for her to be knocked around, beaten down to the point she is the one that is not acceptable.

Than we walk in with our “shining night” whomever that is to finish her off.

But Christie is valuable for now…and the libs hate him, that alone should make us embrace him until the selection really begins.

As much as I don’t like Christie, and I would not support him running for the GOP nod, he didn’t dance or parse anything during the 2 hour presser he gave. He was unequivocal and completely denied knowledge.

If there is evidence – after that denial (because we all know Jersey politics is no cleaner than Chicago politics – ON BOTH SIDES), then he will be toast.

I don’t agree with his policies, but he is no fool. And if he denied that clearly knowing there was proof, then he’s a fool and deserves to be toast. But since he isn’t a fool – I doubt that there is that smoking gun…it seems more likely that the former PA official is just looking to save his ass with an immunity deal.

I know it’s been repeated – but the real story here remains the double standard from the lapdog media and their willingness to ignore similar or even more despicable and vile actions by someone who is a ‘D’.

For the Vichy Repub – look at this and realize that regardless of how Vichy you are, the lapdog media will turn on you in a heartbeat if it benefits a Democrat.

It proves he does not have the political skills to be a national leader – he’s scrapping with his high-school buddies about a traffic control issue.

If he had any understanding of national issues, he would have transcended this weeks ago. He would have been attacking his enemies, the Democrats, on national policy, but he is pre-occupied and distracted by horseplay in the Trenton locker room.

It’s sad that big shots have such an extremely high level of proof that has to be met.

If “ordinary” citizens were given the same benefit of the doubt, our prisons would currently hold a tenth of the populations they do now.

If this was the America that many here want to pretend actually exists, then Christie would have been forced to resign by now for abuse of power. There again, most of our presidents and congressmen would have had to do the same (and many of those would have ended up behind bars) over the last 150 years.

This country is such a sham, and the fact that no one’s invaded us since 1812 (the Aleutians don’t really count…I guess) and we have cable TV, big trucks, washing machines and the like is no fair trade for the loss of the Republic our Forefathers dreamed of.